Normally when the middle of the year hits — when Australia's weather is at its frostiest, aptly — the annual Scandinavian Film Festival rolls into cinemas around the country. In Sydney and Melbourne in 2021, that timing coincided with lengthy lockdowns, so the fest is bringing back its Nordic noir-heavy lineup for another spin before the year is out. Actually, the Scandinavian Film Festival Sydney run didn't even get to go ahead back in July, while Melbourne's was interrupted by stay-at-home stints. In both cities, the event will now help see out spring and welcome summer with a heap of films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. Sure, the warm weather won't make you think of cold Nordic climes, but the on-screen lineup is still impressive. Kicking off on Tuesday, November 23 in Sydney and Friday, November 26 on Melbourne, the returning 2021 fest launches with a must-see new entry in the Scandi-noir genre. Hailing from Denmark, opening night's Wildland stars Sidse Babette Knudsen (Borgen, Westworld) as the head of a family crime syndicate. She's charged with looking after her teenage niece and, in a movie that instantly brings Australia's own Animal Kingdom to mind, the latter soon learns more about the family business. Also on this year's Scandinavian Film Festival lineup: Knudsen again in Copenhagen-set psychological thriller The Exception; masterful and engaging Norwegian film Disco, about an evangelical dance champion who finds her faith tested; and surreal mother-daughter drama Psychosis in Stockholm. Or, for fans of Nordic cinema's big names, relationship drama Hope co-stars Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl), musical comedy A Piece of My Heart sees Swedish-born actor Malin Akerman (Rampage) back on home turf, and The County hails from Icelandic filmmaker Grímur Hákonarson — who directed Rams, which was remade in Australia last year. Other highlights include Icelandic box office hits Agnes Joy and The Last Fishing Trip, the latter of which has been compared to The Hangover; Finnish biopics Helene and Tove, about painter Helene Schjerfbeck and visual artist and author Tove Jansson, respectively; and Tigers, which tells the true tale of former Inter Milan player Martin Bengtsson. Or, there's also Diana's Wedding, which isn't actually about that Diana — plus closing night's 50th anniversary-screening of The Emigrants starring Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann. The Scandinavian Film Festival will screen at Sydney's Palace Norton, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinemas from November 23–December 15 and at Melbourne's Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema from November 26–December 15. For the full program, visit the festival website.
We normally associate Boxing Day releases with feelgoodery, dogoodery, comedy and special effects. Which is why it seems sort of hilarious when a film like Short Term 12 pops up at that time of the holiday season, determined to make its quiet realism heard. The SXSW Film Festival winner was number one on Buzzfeed's list of 'movies you probably missed in 2013 but definitely need to see', so if you get in quick, you can make it the no.1 movie you outsmarted Buzzfeed on instead. Short Term 12 is the kind of film that feels like a well-edited version of real life — though probably not a life that is familiar to you, if you grew up in safe, loving circumstances. Compulsively watchable and super emotional, it revolves around the kids and their barely adult supervisors at a temporary foster care facility. The plot is nebulous, but the anchor is social worker Grace, played by Brie Larson, who you probably remember from United States of Tara and who puts in an incredible, name-making performance here. Excellent at her job and in an adorable, supportive relationship with fellow supervisor Mason (John Gallagher Jr), Grace has her own childhood trauma that she's overcome (or at least repressed). But when a new girl, Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), arrives at Short Term 12, she poses fresh challenges — particularly for Grace, who sees something of herself in the girl. Whether she'll be able to help Jayden, and herself, when the fog of emotion catches up to her is not a given. Short Term 12 is deeply funny, heartbreaking and brave, exploring some taboo topics sensitively without once being sensationalist. Perhaps most impressive is the way writer and director Destin Cretton is able to leap tall towers of everyday humour and humanity and then suddenly drop you into a pit of total, gut-wrenching sadness in a single bound. It's never overwrought; his execution is swift and precise, and he lifts you right out again. Often, it's through the kids' artistic expressions that their pain is most clear; a rap that guarded Marcus (Keith Stanfield) practices with Mason is wholly shattering, and Jayden, an avid drawer, has created a picture book that is not easy reading. The supervisors' calm, understanding reactions to all the crazy things that happen at the centre every day are a fascinating lesson in themselves. Short Term 12 is ultimately hopeful and bittersweet. It's not all hobbits and light, but to watch Short Term 12 is to be exposed to repeated acts of compassion. And practice, they say, makes perfect. Perhaps that's why Short Term 12 is on the Boxing Day release list: it might help guide you into a kinder New Year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rETaWDZ57v0
Foragers of the North Shore, take a breather and let a Michelin-trained chef do the hard work for you. Tomorrow Thursday, April 7, the good folk behind Bondi's The Corner House and Panama House will officially open a bar and eatery named Hunter Gatherer on the rooftop of North Sydney's Greenwood Plaza. And along with their cracking hospitality skills, they've got a top-notch chef on board as well. Said chef is one Paul "Mick" Micklewright, who's put together a menu based on all things good: freshness, locality, sustainability and ethics. Headlining dishes include Bannockburn free-range chicken braised with Sicilian olives, lemon, confit garlic, thyme and verjus, and a hearty farmer's market steak platter. Meanwhile, herbivores are taken care of with a spiced eggplant, haloumi and tomato salad, tossed with parsley and chickpeas. Living up to these tasty, tasty creations is a similarly spirited drinks list, featuring cocktails, craft beers and a handpicked selection of organic, biodynamic wines. The venue also does breakfast and lunch each weekday as well as dinner Wednesday to Friday, but isn't open on weekends (aside from private events). Regardless, it looks like a coup for North Sydneysiders looking for a new lunch spot or somewhere for a casual dinner. In keeping with the environmentally friendly ethos, the interior, which feels a bit like a welcoming country farmhouse, is dotted with lush plants. But it's not all rustic — an Italian-designed feature wall blends natural imagery with a psychedelic aesthetic. On sunny days though, you'll want to nab a seat outside on the vast terrace. Hunter Gatherer will open on Thursday, April 7 on the Greenwood Plaza Rooftop at 36 Blue Street, North Sydney. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm Mondays and Tuesdays and 8.30am to late on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
These days, a free tertiary education is something of a myth — your parents might have got it, you know some other countries offer it, but you've certainly given up all hope of getting any sort of affordable qualifications. But if Labor is elected at the upcoming NSW election, you'll be able to complete a selected TAFE course without spending a cent on fees. Announced this morning by Opposition Leader Michael Daley and NSW Shadow Minister for Skills Prue Car, the program would see a Labor State Government cover 600,000 TAFE places across a ten-year period. The program would see free courses for all certificate levels in skill shortage areas, including childcare, aged care, disability care, construction, plumbing and electrical trades. Coming into effect from January 2020, it would replace Liberal's Smart and Skilled program, which sees fees covered for up to 100,0000 TAFE apprenticeships over a four-year period. The Labor-led program covers a wider scope of courses, with the lineup of free certificates and apprenticeships modified each year to cater for changing skill shortages, according to SBS. The first four years of free courses is estimated to cost the government $64.5million, with potential students eligible for one free course each. Mr Daley said the free courses would be beneficial to both school-leavers and older NSW residents considering a career change (or changing career out of necessity). "Free TAFE will help those starting out or those retraining to find jobs in industries that are crying out for more workers," Mr Daley said in a statement. The offer comes six weeks out from the state election, as both candidates ramp up their campaigns — hitting us with election promises left, right and centre. Expect many more in the lead-up to March 23. https://twitter.com/michaeldaleyMP/status/1094463160180826112
As the winter chill takes over Sydney's lower north shore, you have two choices: you can achieve hermit status by staying at home, or you can make the most of a cold situation and head down to Luna Park Sydney's Winterfest. Running from Friday, July 6 to Monday, July 23 the amusement park will be offering a bevvy of food and wintry activities to suit all visitors, with an ice-skating rink as the star of the show. On Friday and Saturday nights, Luna Park will stay open until 10pm making it a top date night destination. Surprise your partner with some laps around the rink before dinner at carousel-inspired diner The Hungry Horse or upmarket restaurant The Deck. Follow up with a romantic Ferris wheel ride, then get cosy at a pop-up stall serving Baileys hot chocolate, caramel pretzels and gooey s'mores. A Twilight Saver ticket ($35 per person) will sort you out, giving you access to everything — including unlimited rides and ice-skating — after 6pm. If you've got a few little ones in tow, Luna Park Sydney will also be open every day of the July school holidays. Grab an Unlimited Rides Pass (price based on height), which gives you access to the whole park and unlimited rides and ice-skating. Plus, there'll be some helpful penguin skating aids available to help anyone navigating the rink for the first time. On-site retro food outlet Helter Skelter will keep the family well-fed with carnival favourites including hot dogs, burgers and dagwood dogs. Secure your spot on the ice, and purchase tickets here.
Surfers Paradise is known for many things — sun, surf, sand, Schoolies and tourists, mainly — but there's one thing that the Gold Coast strip hasn't had for more than 20 years. That's a cinema, after Hoyts shut up shop back in 1995. Local cinephiles and holidaying movie buffs can rejoice, however, with Palace announcing plans to open a 12-screen complex later this year. Coming to the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue as part of the X Galaxy Centre redevelopment, the cinema will feature multiple lounge and bar areas, plus views over the city, all a mere block away from the beach. It'll form part of an extensive retail and dining precinct, and will be serviced by the light rail system. Patrons can expect the usual array of Palace bar offerings when the cinema opens — with an exact date yet to be announced — plus the chain's mix of art house and mainstream titles. Other than the Home of the Arts cinema (formerly known as the Arts Centre Gold Coast), the area is underserved when it comes to anything other than blockbuster and multiplex fare, making Palace a welcome addition. The Surfers site will bring the company's Queensland locations to three, with Palace operating 22 in total across Australia. They're certainly busy — as well as opening a 13-screen, pink-hued cinema in Sydney's Chippendale last year, new sites in Double Bay and Melbourne's Old Pentridge Prison and Moonee Ponds are also in the works.
Sacrifice, of the kind where ideals clash with safety and responsibility, is at the heart of A Thousand Times Good Night. The film starts with a potent example, as photojournalist Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) snaps away in Afghanistan. Secreted to a secluded spot, she starts capturing a funeral; however, it is soon revealed that her subject isn’t dead. Instead, the prone pose is part of a ritual preparing a suicide-bomber for a mission that goes awry, injuring Rebecca in the process. Juxtaposing the struggle of a woman driven to chronicle the horrors of humanity with the plights of those whose daily lives exist on the precipice between life and death, this introduction makes a strong statement. The former clearly seems trivial in comparison to the latter, but both have costs and consequences. Rebecca has a husband (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and two daughters (Lauryn Canny and Adrianna Cramer Curtis) restless with worry when she is out in the field. Giving up her passion for her loved ones’ peace of mind doesn’t come easily, as she is troubled in her attempts to reconcile the need to make a difference with the comforts of home and the calling of family. Alas, following on from such a striking and tense opening was always going to be difficult. The focus swiftly shifts to an account of disturbed domesticity, and so does the A Thousand Times Good Night’s effectiveness and interest. Contemplating the professional versus personal divide is admirable, and touching upon the ethics of observing versus intervening sparks questions, although both areas have been traversed more thoughtfully in other films. Here, they’re just mechanisms to incite conflict in a marriage melodrama. In such rendering of the circumstances, much is left to rest on Binoche’s talented shoulders. Thankfully, it is never tiresome to see the actress on screen, even when a furrowed brow seems her standard expression. Coster-Waldau is sadly given little to do, other than rally against the protagonist’s choices. Instead, it is young newcomer Canny that offers the best depiction of the traumatic repercussions of living with and loving someone constantly drawn to perilous situations. A Thousand Times Good Night is inspired by the early photographer years of director Erik Poppe’s own career, as conveyed in a script co-written with his long-term collaborator Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, but it is easy to dismiss its content as fiction. Only the war-torn visuals seem taken from Poppe’s experiences; indeed, some of his own stills are used, and the handsome imagery certainly eclipses the strived-for emotion. That’s the issue: the story and performances are just too concerned with heavy-handed sentiments to ring true. It seems that the key sacrifice the film makes is in its approach, preferring the appearance of resonance to taking any thematic risks.
Maybe you first saw Mad Max: Fury Road in a cinema, with engine roars echoing through the theatre, and cars racing and crashing across the big screen. Perhaps you initially watched the exceptional Aussie flick — the best action movie of this century, and the best Australian film of the same period as well — at home. So, you felt all that revving reverberating through your lounge room. Whichever fits, there's no way that you can ever forget the experience. Fury Road arrived after three decades of anticipation, and it well and truly delivered beyond everyone's wildest dreams. There's zero chance that you've forgotten its many vehicles, either, because this is a film that knows how to get fast and furious (yes, even more so than that other franchise). Can't get those cars out of your head? Love movie history, and keen to own a piece of it? Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers have just the thing for you, then, with 13 vehicles from Fury Road going under the hammer. Yes, if you need new ride that's all shiny and chrome, you can get your hands on the Nux car, the Doof Wagon, the War Rig, the Pole Car, the Fire Car and more. Read those names, and you already know which vehicles we're talking about. When the great George Miller, Fury Road's director — and the filmmaker behind the entire Mad Max franchise — dreamed up these sets of wheels, he truly came up with movie cars for the ages. Obviously, the Fury Road vehicles aren't going to come cheap. But if you somehow have the necessary cash, they'll be up for auction across the weekend of Saturday, September 25–Sunday, September 26 — and, as they're part of a tender, you'll need to submit an expression of interest first. Clearly, they're the best things to drive if you find yourself in a desertscape that's part of a post-apocalyptic wasteland — or if you want to pretend that's the case. And, they're something Mad Max-related to get pumped about until the next movie in the franchise, Furiosa, hits cinemas. Need a reminder of just how all the vehicles look in the film? Check out the Fury Road trailer below: Thirteen cars from Mad Max: Fury Road will be up for auction across the weekend of Saturday, September 25–Sunday, September 26. For further information, head to the Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers website.
It's the iconic charity footy match that sees local musos and radio names battle it out on-field in an effort to raise much-needed funds and awareness for disadvantaged Aussies via Reclink Australia. This year, 19 years after it was born down in Melbourne, the much-adored Reclink Community Cup will return for a huge 2022 instalment. On Sunday, September 11, this year's cup will transform Marrickville's Henson Park into a community celebration of epic proportions, as crowds flock to catch the Sydney Sailors (media personalities) and the Western Walers (musicians) go head to head. This year's festivities have been given the theme of 'Let Love Rule', in honour of the late Gunditjmara/Bundjalung singer-songwriter Archie Roach AM, borrowing the name of the theme from his seventh studio album. As always, the off-field antics will be plentiful, with a stellar lineup of line tunes. Former Wiggle Murray Cook's 70s-style rock band The Soul Movers will do the honours at halftime, while legendary Australian hip-hop collective The Herd will reform to perform their first gig together since 2018 at the conclusion of the game. "I love playing the Community Cup alongside a spirited bunch of full-hearted dabblers who kick, handball and most importantly sing together in the name of supporting Reclink at the glorious Henson Park," The Herd's Tim Levinson (also known as Urthboy) said. "There's nothing like spilling a simple chest mark and getting sledged by some unslept revellers on the hill and some kids from Marrickville Primary school while the sun sets in the west. Incredible scenes." There will also be pop-up bars and food trucks on-hand so you can enjoy a beer and a bite to eat while you watch the game. Proceeds from the event will go towards Reclink which runs programs that help combat mental illness, family violence, homelessness, unemployment and issues surrounding gambling, alcohol and drugs. [caption id="attachment_864759" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Soul Movers[/caption]
Online fashion and lifestyle store Public Figure has taken its collection of effortlessly stylish and consciously made clothes and lifestyle essentials from its online store into the real world with a breezy European-inspired pop-up in Paddington. The pop-up has taken over a former cake store on Oxford Street, refurbishing it with recycled material and furnished with pieces from sustainable furniture-makers Totem Road. Public Figure strives to work with brands and designers making their clothes in both an environmentally and socially ethical way. The majority of designers the store works with are also locally owned and made. Inside you'll find pieces from designers like Anna Quan, Peony Swim, Wynn Hamlyn alongside new additions to the Public Figure collection including Auor, Hyde & Stone and Zulu & Zephyr. Alongside the clothes, shoppers will find accessories like St. Rosé fragrances, Flash Jewellery and Public Figures always popular zodiac towels and sarongs. The pop-up is located at 96 Oxford Street, Paddington and is open as of Thursday, October 14.
Over the past year, the MCA has hosted a number of powerhouse women. We've had Yoko Ono, Tabaimo and now Annette Messager. Spanning four decades, this major retrospective is a text-heavy universe bouncing between playful and sinister. Messager is a difficult artist to categorise and deliberately so. She pushes against categorisation, skating between the peripheral and the mainstream art world. Motion/Emotion is a conglomeration of different things. There are threads of French conceptualism and a touch of surrealism. There are homages paid to both Outsider Art and kinetic sculpture. But mostly, there's a preoccupation with the body — from the protective layering of clothing to internal organs. Messager also unravels gender codes, breaking down binaries and turning man and woman into a jumble of ubiquitous body parts. The combination of childlike innocence and morbidity can be seen in works such as The Gloves-Grimace, consisting of individual gloves hanging from the gallery walls. The fingertips are pierced by brightly coloured pencils. Plucked from the primary school pencil case, these sharp tools turn the gloves into claws. Perhaps punning on the idea of little monsters, this is an example of how Messager’s human fragments can become animalistic. The large-scale installations are where the kinetic aspects of her practice are in full swing. The show-stealer is perhaps Casino, which won Messager the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2005. This Pinocchio-inspired installation features dangling marionettes, a little city of lights, and waves of sumptuous red silk that gradually ripple and build to a billowing climax. It’s like being the wooden puppet inside the whale’s mouth. But it also feels like a cavernous womb, communicating notions of rebirth and becoming human. Another wonderful work resembles a gothic toy town or something Tim Burton might dream up. It’s full of conical shapes and motorised movement. A projection of Giacometti’s man paces around the room and fabric globes gently inhale and exhale. In fact, many of Messager’s kinetic works appear to be guided by the pattern of human breath, making them feel like sleeping creatures. The lack of colour here is also quite significant. More recently, Messager’s practice has undergone a kind of blackening, as if signalling a depressing or dangerous state of affairs. There’s a lot of pleasure to be had here. Both enchanting and demonic, Messager’s practice is broadly appealing. She reclaims devalued arts such as embroidery and ‘women’s work’ as well as Outsider Art, which she admires for its timelessness and simplicity of media. Parts of her practice resonate with the likes of Cindy Sherman and Francis Picabia. However, Messager casts a wide net in terms of theme and media; she is always looking for new boundaries to test and new tools to work with.
If you're hyperventilating just thinking about Christmas shopping Westfield-style, here's a way to calm your nerves. Online gift shop hardtofind.com.au, which specialises in all things independent, creative and beautifully-designed, is going to take a brief sojourn in the bricks-and-mortar world with a Christmas pop-up shop at The Rocks. Co-founders Eri Stewart and Trudi Jenkins will be presenting an eclectic, handpicked selection of presents, covering everyone in your social circle, from your annoying little brother to your mad auntie to your hard-to-please mother-in-law. The pop-up will be found in the foyer of 5 Hickson Road — on the George Street side. Doors will first open between Friday, November 28 and Sunday, November 30, and then from Thursdays to Sundays until December 14. Your visit will be rewarded with free cupcakes, and while you're there, take a quick Instagram and post with the hashtag #hardtofindpopup to go in the draw to win every item on display. Stewart and Jenkins met while working on delicious. magazine and have since become experts in gift-giving. The 28,000 items on their site, sourced from 800 Australian and international small businesses, are the product of countless hours of research. Their aim is to save you the time, hassle and frustration of trawling through shopping centres and online stores.
If you are looking to "wave you hands in the air like you just don't care" then forget this show. Dead Prez care big time. They have been churning out agitated political hip hop for nigh on 15 years, with lyrics that cover everything from veganism to socialism, always attempting to unify and educate African Americans first and foremost. They have occasionally drifted into the periphery of the main stream; first in 2000 with the single Hip Hop which had the snarling, booty crunching bass line with a chanting chorus of "it's bigger than hip hop, hip hop". This tune was used for the opening of Chappelle's Show and the comedian also championed the Dead Prez cause again when he featured the crew in Dave Chappelle's Block Party, even rapping a few verses of the the tune in his unmistakable twang. The duo are on our shores for The Big Day Out. I'm not sure if the masses will digest their message, but if all else fails you can all nod your heads to their rhymes at The Gaelic this week.
We're not sure then it started, but Sydney's south has slowly become (dare we say it?) cool. Art galleries, cafes and restaurants are popping up in what was previously an industrial area near the airport where nothing really happened. The latest chef to set up there is Luke Mangan, whose open-plan, New York-inspired Luke Mangan Headquarters opened earlier this month. Headquarters is a mix of head office, test kitchen, sit-down function area and wine and tapas bar, all inside one large warehouse on Danks Street. This will be Mangan's second Sydney venue (the first is Glass, located in the Hilton), but he has restaurants in Surfers Paradise, Singapore, Tokyo, Bali and Jakarta as well. Headquarters is made up of three main areas. The first is the aptly titled 'Engine Room', the office part of the venue where all the planning for the Luke Mangan brand (restaurants, books, catering and Luke's range of snacks, spices, cakes and condiments sold via his website) will take place. There's also a photo wall outside where you can see some of the celebrities he's cooked for over the years. In the Test Kitchen, a large function area at the far end of the building, Luke and his crew will be testing and developing new recipes for his various local and international restaurants. The area's also available to book for functions and private dinner parties. Last of all, but probably the most exciting, is Mojo Wine Bar, a casual wine and tapas bar where diners can enjoy wine and cocktails along with a range of small snacks, including pork belly tacos, cheese plates and oysters. While most of Luke's restaurants are a bit on the pricey side, Mojo sounds like a perfect opportunity to try some of Luke's award-winning food in a more casual, relaxed setting.
On June 24, 1978, a few hundred people gathered on Oxford Street to voice their opinions against anti-homosexual discrimination. Late in the evening, when the numbers rose to 2000, the police put an end to the march and arrested 53 of the protestors, many of whom lost their jobs as a result. Thirty-five years on, the Mardi Gras is the largest gay celebration on the planet, with about 10,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. It's a glamorous, glitzy, outrageous, fun expression of every individual's right to love freely. Get there early if you want a view. Read the rest of our ten best things to do at Sydney Mardi Gras.
Backyard cricket, barbecues and water sports are all Aussie summer clichés for a reason: they're good, wholesome fun. Another one? Outdoor cinemas. And we're here to tell you the very good news that North Sydney's version of this al fresco activity is returning for another season. Sunset Cinema is once again taking over North Sydney Oval from January 15–March 20. Whether you're planning a cosy date night or easy family outing under the stars, this year's extensive program has something for everyone. The nostalgic lineup ranges from 80s cult films like Dirty Dancing to Studio Ghibli favourite Spirited Away and a whole heap of Oscar nominees, including Knives Out, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 1917. There are also sing-along screenings of Bohemian Rhapsody and Greatest Showman, and a Valentine's Day 10 Things I Hate About You special. BYO picnics are encouraged, but if you want to enjoy a sparkling or brew throughout the film, the on-site bar will be serving a range of wines, beer and cider. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be food trucks and plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and bottomless popcorn. Yep, buy a box and you can get free (endless) refills. Tickets start at $20 for adults, with a premium $45 lawn lounge package on offer, too — it includes entry, a prime-viewing bean bag reserved on the lawn, a beverage of your choice and a box of popcorn.
David Griggs is a contemporary artist from Sydney who documents the seamy underbelly of the third world, Australian style. Which means his works are bold, garish and larger than life. For his latest exhibition, opening this Thursday at MOP Gallery, he just got back from spending four months in a Manilla Jail working with the inmates on typically massive canvases representing their gang emblems. The work promises to be politically charged, very beautiful and, well, big ... you get it. If that's still not enough of a Griggs fix, in the next room there's a group show he also curated. The man's unstoppable.
If you've been dreaming about a new set of wheels to help you gracefully glide into the sunny season, the legends at Amsterdam-born bike label Lekker can help you out. This weekend, the company's Sydney store will host another edition of its ever-popular 'garage sale' filled with bikes, bargains, eats and beats. The party starts pedalling at 10am on Saturday, October 6 at Lekker's cheery Surry Hills store (conveniently located on the Bourke Street bike path). Those in the market for new wheels will be able to test ride a few different designs, and, if all goes well, buy one — all bikes, accessories and parts will be discounted, some by up to 50 percent. Backing up the fun and embracing those sweet spring vibes, there'll be a soundtrack of groovy tunes, plus free food and drinks. Don't risk a sleep-in, though — Lekker's past sales have seen pretty hefty lines of punters keen for those bicycle bargains and you don't want to miss out.
On Delphi, long ago, the Oracle sucked the vapours of secret herbs and split the wall of time so as to forewarn mortals of what the Gods decreed. Since those Hellenic days, the seer has remained as the ultimate purveyor of mystic reference. Always of its era, the Oracle takes many forms, speaking every language and hopefully, though not often, heeded just in time.Meryl Tankard, one of the finest choreographers in the world, now summons her Oracle, award-winning dancer Paul White, to the Sydney stage. Forming visions inspired by the works of Odd Nerdrum - a painter gifted with the greatest name ever known - The Oracle delivers a cloaked message to those who seek it. And for those who don't, there are the urgent melodies of the Kronos Quartet and Nijinsky's The Rite of Spring to crack the shell of your everyday.There will be a pre-performance talk given by Meryl Tankard on September 20th at 4pm.
Enter the charming little dream world of Lucy Folk, from her covetable candy-hued cocktail clutches to wearable works of art, and make them yours thanks to its online archive sale — all for a fraction of the price, too. Older styles and past collections are available at up to 70 percent off retail price. We're talking crocheted copper earrings, choker necklaces, colourful loungewear, clutches and basket-woven bags, retro-inspired shades and more. The Australian designer is known for her incredibly luxe yet playful accessories and wares, drawing inspiration from a variety of avenues in her life, although food and travel are two of the clearest. In the online sale, you'll find Moroccan-inspired clothing such as boldly striped robes, boilersuits, dresses, pants and kaftans — all of which are perfect for lazing around the house. Jewellery-wise, expect sphinx-like earrings and ones that look like coral; pearl-encrusted hoops; simple gold, silver and copper chokers; fun beaded necklaces; and a bunch of rings and bracelets — from fine and dainty to statement pieces. You can also nab a pair of her coveted sunnies for just $100, which usually retail for upwards of $375, as well as $125 off her much-loved beaded clutches. As we move into cooler autumnal weather and shorter days — and not to mention spending almost all our time at home — future you will thank Lucy Folk (and your shopping habits) for adding a burst of cheer to your every day outfits. The sale ends at midnight tonight, Monday, April 20 — so you best be quick. Lucy Folk Archive Sale runs until 11.59pm AEST.
When I was in high school I associated Luna Park with the wild-mouse, the gravitron, dodgems and the ferris wheel... not dance parties. Times have changed! The crew of Skoolapalooza have decided that the best way to shake off the HSC exams stress is with loud music, lights shows and cool market stalls. While some finish final exams earlier than others, this is an awesome way to get together with fellow HSC survivors and cheers each other into the next stage of early adulthood while dancing to Cut Copy DJ’s, The Potbelleez, The Bang Gang Deejays (Ajax + Doom + Hoodrat), Bag Raiders, The Stafford Bros, and more. Register online here for competitions and updates.
Sixteen brewers, sixty-plus beers, a slew of gourmet chefs, live musicians and a petting zoo will converge on Willoughby on Saturday, September 13, for the fourth annual Willoughby Craft Beer Fair. Entry to the shindig is free. But, if you're keen to taste, you'd be wise to invest in some tasting tix before the date. For $23.50 online or $27 at the door, you get ten delicious samples. Australian brewers who'll be peddling their creations include Balmain Brewing Company, Gang of Four from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Mountain Goat from Richmond, Victoria, Yulli's Brews from Surry Hills and Murray's from Port Stephens. In addition to these local flavours, you'll be offered a stack of drops from around the world. The Fair is hosted by The Willoughby Hotel and is organised in conjunction with Willoughby Council's EMERGE Spring Fair. The action will go on all day, kicking off at 11am and winding up at 5pm.
LAND — the creative Texan duo behind some of Patagonia, Levis and Deus's most dynamic campaigns — are set to exhibit in Australia for the first time. To be held in Camperdown's MC06 and titled One Hand on the Bull, the show promises a selection of LAND's latest works, exploring their timeless approach to the art of communication. Those familiar with the artists (aka Caleb Owen Everitt and Ryan Rhodes) will know of their unwillingness to limit themselves when it comes to materials or techniques. Expect to see the old, the new, the unique, the found, the recycled and the upcycled, across drawings, paintings, typography, iconography, graphic design, digital design, metal work and sculpture. One Hand on the Bull will open on Thursday, December 10 from 6pm and show for just two days — Friday, December 11 between 10am and 4pm, and Saturday, December 12 between 10am and 5pm. The show is presented by Monster Children, the magazine that, since 2003, has been redefining surf and skate publications by delving into art, photography, design and music.
Bondi's The Royal was a stalwart on Sydney's live music scene for years. And now that new owners Merivale have settled in, it's continuing the tradition. Throughout summer, in partnership with Furphy beer, it's running a free live music series across three of its venues: the Royal, plus Coogee Pavilion and Marrickville's Vic on the Park. If you're heading to Bondi on a Saturday afternoon, drop into the Royal, grab a Furphy and settle in for a free gig. Each Saturday from 5pm will see a different artist (or artists) take to the stage — the roster includes a heavy dose of local DJ talent and a couple of live music gigs, too. On January 5, Groove City will travel up from Melbourne to perform its unapologetic funk, and, come February 2, prepare yourself for Perth rockers the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. After appearing at the Royal, they'll be setting off on a mammoth UK tour. The rest of the See Sound program is over here. Updates will take place throughout summer, so be sure to check in regularly.
You'd never guess from the popularity of its fried chicken that Johnny Bird was once a lobster roll joint. Luckily, it ditched the crustacean earlier this year in favour of free-range fried chicken, and it has been serving it up in droves every since. And, on the last Saturday of every month, its fryers are extra busy, when it hosts an all-you-can-eat fried chicken party. For $30, you'll get unlimited brined and fried chook with one of nine different sauces — Nashville hot, sticky Szechuan, chipotle mayo, blue cheese, Johnny sauce, gravy, house-made tomato sauce, Detroit smoky barbecue or ranch — and a side of fries, mash and gravy. Downing all that fried fare is thirsty work, so the lower north shore eatery is also cracking open tins of beer for just $6. To make a booking, head to the Johnny Bird website. Johnny Bird's all-you-can-eat fried chicken fest runs from 5pm.
Sydney Festival 2022 has already been and gone, and next January's event is still months away. But sometimes there's something on the citywide fest's bill that's just too exciting to hold back until its next season. Yes, filling the Oxford Street Precinct with nine-metre screens showcasing stunning aerial industrial landscape images from a renowned photographer is one such event. Those photos hail from acclaimed Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky and, from Friday, August 26 until Sunday, September 18, they'll be on display in Sydney's Taylor Square. Sydney Festival is setting up three screens as part of an installation called In the Wake of Progress, a free outdoor immersive multimedia piece which'll span 40 years of Burtynsky's work. Whether you're now keen to stop by specifically to see In the Wake of Progress, or you know you'll be walking past daily anyway, Sydneysiders are in for a huge and spectacular art treat — which comes to Australia after premiering at Luminato Festival Toronto in June this year. Burtynsky's snaps focus on a topic that should be near and dear to everyone's hearts: humanity's impact upon the planet, the legacy we're leaving and the chance to create a more sustainable future. Accordingly, expect to peer at everything from scenes of shipbreaking in Bangladesh through to hazardous nickel tailings in Ontario. As well as the photographer's powerful imagery, In the Wake of Progress includes an original score by composer Phil Strong, and is co-produced by Bob Ezrin (who has worked with Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed and more). That means that making a date to take in the full moving 22-minute sensory experience is highly recommended. Don't worry about rushing after work— presentations begin every 30 minutes, starting from 5pm with the last presentation at 9.30pm. The artist is also coming to Sydney for a series of talks co-presented by the Australian Museum and Sydney Festival between Thursday, September 1–Saturday, September 3, for Sydneysiders keen to hear more about his work and the impact that photography can have in exploring nature and the earth. There will also be talks spanning topics from the environmental challenges of fast fashion to achieving net zero with speakers including The Chaser's Craig Reucassel, fashion designer Bianca Spender, and Daniel Browning of Indigenous Radio ABC and Radio National's The Art Show. If you're keen to check out jaw-dropping photographs, head to Taylor Square between 5pm and 10pm any day from August 28 — September 18, and head to the Sydney Festival website for more information on the event and supporting talks. [caption id="attachment_865564" align="alignnone" width="1920"] In the Wake of Progress at COCT. © Jim Pano.[/caption] Top images: Edward Burtynsky, Dyralaekir River on Myrdalssandur, Iceland, 2012 ; Edward Burtynsky Aqueduct 1, Los Angeles, California, USA, 2009
If you're here, it's safe to say you're a bona fide movie buff. You've seen the latest blockbusters, you're in attendance at the festivals (in person or via live stream) and you're always on the lookout for the indie gems to set your gaze upon. So, this year's 70th anniversary of Melbourne International Film Festival is sure to be on your radar (and its sponsor Dropbox is gifting you something special to celebrate). The far-reaching 2022 program offers a bevy of applauded flicks from home turf and afar, and has a knock-out lineup of deep-dives with esteemed guests, premiere events and discussion panels. So, if you can't squeeze a sneaky trip to Melbourne into your August agenda, we've got just the ticket to get you a front-row seat to the action from afar — 25 of them, to be precise, because we've teamed up with Dropbox to give 25 lucky film lovers at-home double passes to attend an online MIFF Play screening of their choosing. That's right, skip the queues — and skip the shoes if you want — and microwave those kernels, because there are thrillers, dramas, rom-coms and biographies aplenty just waiting for you to watch from the comfort of your own home. Will you tune in to Lucky Peach, a deeply personal exploration of suburban tensions and the sacrifices made by first-generation immigrant families; charmingly quirky comedy The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour; or Citizen Ashe, the story of tennis champ Arthur Ashe, the first Black athlete to win a singles Grand Slam singles title? The choice is entirely yours. Celebrating these filmmakers isn't only done by audiences — they're also supported by advances in technology. Smooth-moving collaborations between producers, screenwriters, animators and actors? Real-time sharing of heavy files? Avoidance of glitchy email chains and lost-to-the-void sparks of genius? Dropbox looks after it — and that's why it's an official supporting partner of the Festival. It's that crossroads of creativity and technology that empowers these artists to continue doing what they love — and what delivers the 25 double tickets that we're giving away right here. Keen to shake up your watch list? Enter the competition below. Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 4 till Sunday, August 21. Select films will be available to stream online from Thursday, August 11 till Sunday, August 28. [competition]863917[/competition]
The end of Game of Thrones is coming, with the show's eighth and final season kicking off this month. Not ready to say goodbye? Try claiming the Iron Throne for yourself instead. Joining the huge list of GoT-themed bits and pieces — including spinoff series, official tours, boozy banquets and ice hotels — is Game of Thrones Winter Is Coming, a new multiplayer browser game that puts players in the thick of the action. It might have the most obvious title possible, but Game of Thrones Winter Is Coming gives fans an important role and a huge task: becoming either a lord or lady in Westeros, scheming against and slaying your enemies, and seizing the Seven Kingdoms' coveted metal chair. So, basically, stepping into the standard GoT world and doing what all of your favourite characters have been doing for years. Unlike Jon Snow, you'll know that much at least. Now available to play, it all kicks off after the death of Eddard Stark, aka the moment that had every TV fan hooked. Your character will take his place among Westeros' upper echelons, train an army, recruit followers and endeavour to remain victorious (and keep your head, obviously). And, because the game is a collaboration with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment under license from HBO, expect plenty of other iconic GoT figures to pop up. Expect to virtually roam around the Seven Kingdoms as well, which has been recreated complete with major landmarks and castles from the show. You'll also be able to relive some of the series' iconic moments, just in computer game form. Played online in your browser, it's really your latest excuse to never leave the world created by George RR Martin, even if the hugely successful TV show based on his books is about to leave our lives. Or, think of it another way — it's a way to pass the time until Martin finally finishes the sixth instalment in the printed franchise, the long-awaited The Winds of Winter. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gon69yQTx9M Game of Thrones Winter Is Coming is available to play online now. Image: Game of Thrones season 8. Helen Sloan/HBO.
If you're keen to attack the Chinese New Year with some serious stamina, then get yourself along to Happy D's in Redfern, on Saturday 17 February. From midday, the much-adored neighbourhood dumpling house will be serving up all-you-can-eat dumplings. All you have to do is hand over 30 bucks, settle onto a bar stool and get ready to binge. The entire menu will be available, from prawn gow gee to barbecue pork buns to chicken dim sims. And, as usual, a steady stream of disco beats will be pumping out of the stereo. The feast will be available at lunch, from midday till 3pm, then again at dinner, from 5.30pm till close. Should you miss out on a table this weekend — despair not. Happy D's is offering unlimited dumplings every Saturday for the foreseeable future.
To celebrate its new Fresh Yuzu Gin, award-winning and beloved Australian gin distillery Four Pillars is hosting two special nights of Japanese snacks at its Sydney outpost. The gin experts over at the Laboratory have enlisted the help of the equally beloved RaRa Ramen team to create a menu of Japanese favourites to pair with the new gin. On the menu: cheesy karaage, spicy pork or vegan mazemen and seasonal Japanese pickles. The snacks are on offer to anyone who books a table or nabs a spot at Four Pillars Laboratory in Surry Hills on Friday, April 8 or Saturday, April 9. While you're there, you can finish off your night by trying a new yuzu gin lamington that Four Pillars have created with dessert wizzes Tokyo Lamington. Available throughout April, the citrusy cake combines yuzu jellies, vanilla cream and a lamington sponge infused with Four Pillars yuzu gin and tonic. The whole thing is dipped in white chocolate, covered in candied yuzu skin and available as the perfect sweet treat after your chicken kaarage and mazemen. Images: Steven Woodburn
This October long weekend, spend a sunny afternoon at the The Vic Enmore's dog show "for the inner west's mutts and mongrels", hosted by charismatic comedian and dog-lover David Williams. Enjoy a day of snags, schooners and riotous laughter as Sydney's crafty canines face challenging obstacle courses, whilst primped pups compete for the title of cutest dog. There'll be a variety of other categories — including 'most disobedient dog', 'biggest dog' and 'lookalike - dog and owner' — and plenty of prizes up for grabs. Fun extras include a polaroid photo booth and a kid's jumping castle. Also, DJ Jack Shit, DJ Meem and Propaganda DJs will be spinning tunes from 11am until late. It's free to attend, though there's a $5 registration fee for the comp, which goes directly to Pet Rescue, a charity close to Vic co-owner Paddy Coughlan’s heart. His loveable pooch Max was adopted from the charity and subsequently inspired the pub's new logo. Come along for a barking good time. Photo credit: Jelly Dude via photopin cc
The heritage-listed Hibernian House is home to an eclectic mix of creative professions including artists, musicians and tailors. One such resident is Hibernia Tattoo Studio — an appointment-only studio with a team of six expert (and in demand) tattoo artists. The experience is personalised, starting with one-on-one consultations and a dedicated artist that will be assigned to you for the full process. Each artist has their own unique style, specialising in Japanese Irezumi, florals, geometric and oriental designs.
Our weekends never feel quite long enough. Between lazy mornings, brunch dates and endless hours binging Netflix, getting our life admin done can seem an insurmountable challenge. Who wants to spend their Sunday afternoon wandering the aisles of a grocery store? For Western Suburbs locals, Parramatta Farmers Market is here to help. Every Friday, between 7.30 am and 2.30 pm, stallholders peddling fresh produce and artisanal wares descend on Centenary Square. Stop by on your way into the office to pick up all your fresh fruit and veggies, baked goods, cheeses and spices. There are also plenty of food trucks slinging gozleme, dumplings and bratwurst if you visit during your lunch break.
There's one surefire way to keep those winter shivers at bay, and that's a hefty dose of chilli. Or, in the case of Cronulla haunt Northies, a whole month of it. The beachside bar is spicing up August with its second month-long Northies Chilli Fest, complete with fiery eats, super-spicy drinks and a few chilli-eating competitions along the way. The kitchen is fuelling the burn with a chilli-charged specials menu, featuring dishes like 'death' wings, jalapeño poppers, chilli chicken burgers and a 'chilli roulette pizza', for friends who dare to share. There'll also be a 'death wagon' rolling around the bar stocked with 30 hot sauces — which you can add to any dish. Meanwhile, the bar is coming to the party with some spicy treats of its own — cosy up to a chilli-choc espresso martini, choose the Scoville (spiciness) rating of your bloody mary, or cool things down a little with a limited-edition Young Henrys Rockefella gose with coriander seed. And from 2pm each Sunday, brave contestants will battle it out for chilli eating glory. Sign up to compete in the competition, or watch from a safe distance, enjoying the weekly lineup of live acts, DJs and hot sauce vendors, with tastebuds still in tact. Heats for the chilli-eating competition will be held on August 4, 11, 18 and 25 — which you can sign up for here.
As if uncrowded beaches and fresh air weren't enough to get you down to the south coast, the spring series of talks by the Institute of Interesting Ideas is also a reason to visit. Taking place by the sea at The Pavilion Kiama, this conversation series features healthy-living celebrities, such as celebrated food writer and TV personality Matt Preston. Preston's had his fingers in many pies over the years, appearing on TV as well as regularly writing for publications around the country. So, if you're a fan of the man, you can catch him talking food, glorious food while promoting his new book, More. From 5pm on Thursday, November 21, you can pick up a copy of the new book and enjoy a drink and some canapes (all samples from the cookbook) before sitting down to hear the former Masterchef Australia judge discuss all things food with journalist and director of Institute of Interesting Ideas Naima Brown. The talk proper starts at 6pm and Preston will be talking about the importance of veggies — More is a vegetarian and vegan cookbook. While Preston is neither vegetarian or vegan, he heroes vegetables and their incredible flavour, texture and vibrancy. So, if you're a fan of veg-heavy dishes, Preston's new book could be your new weeknight go-to. After the talk, you can ask Preston some questions in the Q&A, plus he'll be signing copies of More. The event has limited availability so we suggest you get in quick — and you can do so here.
This year, the Mantra Collective is flipping the Halloween tradition on its head, with a summery, outdoor underground dance party at The Factory Theatre. No shadowy corners or gloomy ghosts here. That said, you're invited to dress the part, with Mantra urging you get your Frankenstein on. An epic, 12-hour music marathon will kick off across three stages at 2pm. Heading it up is Berliner David Gtronic from Kina Music and Ibiza-dwelling TiNi & The Gang, who's recently been getting a lot of love from Richie Hawtin, Marco Carola, Loco Dice and Dubfire. Making up the rest of the program is a slew of local and international talent, including solo sets from Mantra Collective's Whitecat, Aboutjack and Space Junk, along with performances from Casting Out, Le Brond, and all the way from Mexico City, Kire.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled their 2017 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on Friday, April 28 in South Australia and travel through Maitland, Townsville, Bendigo and Canberra before finishing up in Bunbury on May 13. This year's lineup sees local talent front and centre with triple j Hottest 100 list-toppers Tash Sultana and Amy Shark (#3 and #2, respectively) taking the stage, along with The Smith Street Band, Montaigne, Hayden James and Methyl Ethel. Most of the international talent comes from the UK this year, with The Darkness, 21-year-old Loyle Carner and The Wombats making their way to the Moo, along with Germans Milky Chance. Here's the full lineup. GROOVIN THE MOO 2017 LINEUP Against Me! (USA) Allday Amy Shark Architects (UK) The Darkness (UK) Dillon Francis (USA) George Maple Hayden James The Jungle Giants K-Flay (USA) L-FRESH The LION Loyle Carner (UK) Methyl Ethel Milky Chance (GER) Montaigne Northeast Party House Slumberjack The Smith Street Band Snakehips (UK) Tash Sultana Thundamentals Violent Soho The Wombats (UK) GROOVIN THE MOO 2017 DATES & VENUES Friday, April 28 — Wayville (SA) Saturday, April 29 – Maitland (NSW) Sunday, April 30 — Townsville (QLD) Saturday, May 6 — Bendigo (VIC) Sunday, May 7 – Canberra (ACT) Saturday, May 13 — Bunbury (WA) Pre-sale tickets for GTM will go on sale at 9am local time on Wednesday, February 1. All other tickets for Wayville, Maitland and Townsville will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, February 7, and Bendigo, Bunbury and Canberra will be released the day after at 9am on Wednesday, February 8. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Image: Tao Jones.
If you’ve been missing the Festivalists’ best-known night about town, Jurassic Lounge, it’s been a long time between drinks. Their pioneering play-plus-edification mainstay at the Australian Museum slipped into indefinite hiatus with its extinction events late last year, leaving Festivalist fans to explore the film festivals, festival hub and Mayhem that make up part of their wider repertoire. This September, though, they’re adding more museum to their CV with a Lounge-like excursion to Darling Harbour: Hijinks. Hijinks sees the Festivalists take over the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium for three separate nights across September, October and November. And this time they’re going with the nautical theme. On arrival, attendees will be handed a treasure map which will help them to find a treasure chest over the course of the night. But to get to it you’ll need to complete a series of challenges. Says Festivalist director Matt Ravier, “The challenges take the form of riddles and photo challenges that you might complete by taking a photo with your phone, for example.” Helping you work out what to do will be a series of actors, performers and actual scientists scattered around the building. These challenges are optional. There’ll still be plenty of scope in the evening for just a drink and a bit of hanging out. But the treasure map is all about making good with this new space, after switching from a space like the Australian Museum’s interlocking rooms to the Aquarium’s path-like layout. The Festivalists try to look at each new venue with fresh eyes. When you first scope one out, Ravier says, you try to “leave all preconceived ideas and expectations at the door, and you’ll re-experience the venue almost as a child.” So, for Hijinks guests, “rather than just have a party, which we can do pretty much anywhere, they’ll be interacting with improv comedians, performers, artists, but also marine biologists throughout their journey through the Aquarium and getting clues from them that will lead them to the treasure chest, with a chance, of course, to win its contents.” This time, says Ravier, “the whole experience is designed as a journey, rather than a free-for-all invitation to disperse and be at a certain place at a certain time.” Which also means it’s laid out a bit like one-way system. “Although people who come regularly will start discovering short cuts and secret passages that allow them to move more freely than they thought they could.” And it won’t just be the people; the point of getting to explore at the Aquarium is to get a better look at that marine life on show. “I guess, with Hijinks, we’re bringing the party to the wildlife," says Ravier. "So, it’ll be an interesting kind of meeting, audiences and marine biology.” Is it hard to plan around fish? They’ve planned around the animals, but Ravier’s not too concerned about the prospect of mixing people with fish tanks. “It’s actually quite easy, because the space has already been designed with that in mind. The tanks etcetera have been built in such a way as to protect the animals from external noise and stimuli. It simply means that we won’t have loud music in certain spaces, that we have to be careful about bass and vibrations from the bass if we have a DJ playing.” Opening night, Thursday, September 11, sees a pirate theme. Highlights will include Tom Christophersen's radio-transmitted storytelling, puppet cabaret from Defy and tattoo-drawing lessons from tattooist Jimmy Memento. Not to mention the chance to hear divers at the Aquarium talk about rescuing grey nurse sharks in the wild, a little underwater art and maybe some extra underwater activities. “I think what underpins pretty much everything that we do is access," says Ravier. "So the idea of providing access to culture, or to collections, or to artistically or culturally valuable experiences.” And like most people he asked, Ravier says that for him, before Hijinks, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium had been a place he mainly just took overseas visitors. But now he thinks Hijinks “could be a chance to almost reappropriate the aquarium for Sydney locals as a fantastic space that’s right on our doorstep.” Hijinks will make the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium its own for three Thursdays, on September 11, October 30 and November 13. In the meantime, if you can’t wait to check out their signature mix of high culture and low play, their Possible Worlds Canadian and US film festival launches tonight.
It's been a rocky few years for Jamie's Italian in Australia, having relaunched with full ownership in 2017 only to lose ownership again just one year later. Luckily, the Brisbane-based Hallmark Group took over the management of the Australian restaurants, but not without some casualties — the Canberra and Parramatta outposts (the latter of which has become a steakhouse) quickly closed. But, luckily, the Pitt Street venue has continued to pump out pasta to heaving lunch and dinner crowds. And, this April, Jamie's Italian in the CBD will run a series of bottomless prosecco lunches for a very reasonable $50 per person. The one-month deal will run on the four Saturdays in April as well as Easter Sunday — and it includes a lot more than just an endless supply of sparkling wine. Each table will be served small bites to share (including those crispy polenta chips), and everyone will get a big bowl of pasta. You'll be be able to choose which one you want, too — think classics like prawn linguine and bucatini carbonara, and signatures including the truffle tagliatelle and lamb ravioli. Plus, it'll all be topped off with panna cotta for dessert. If we know anything, it's that people really love Jamie's Italian. As such, these lunches are sure book out fast — so front a pineapple and book it already.
Aussie chef Clayton Wells has no problem manning the kitchen at his Chippendale restaurants Automata and A1 Canteen. But, even so, he's inviting a few (highly lauded) mates over for a stream of joint dinner parties at A1. Next up in the A1 & Friends series, Wells is bringing chef Victor Liong in — he's behind Melbourne's Lee Ho Fook and has just opened Chuuka with Sokyo's Chase Kojima. The duo will bring back Liong's now-closed Melbourne institution Lawyers, Guns and Money for a five-course feast on Wednesday, July 24. Diners can expect Chinese breakfast classics, served for dinner. The meal will begin with braised pig's ears with pickled veggies and peanuts. Course two is salt and pepper prawns with fish fragrant eggplant (a Sichuan banquet staple) and steamed prawns stuffed baby snapper, ginger and white soy. Then there's Liong's chicken and ginger congee, served with heaps of condiments like century egg, wonton skins and Chinese doughnuts, plus pickled ginger, spring onion relish and fried garlic. Mains include cumin and chilli lamb noodles, chicken wings in a caramelised red vinegar sauce and garlicky cucumbers. For dessert, tuck into Hong Kong-inspired French toast topped with peanut butter, dulce de leche and maple syrup. And it all comes in for a tidy $55 per person. While only the food is included in the ticket price, there will be plenty of specialty cocktails and other drinks to purchase — all of which will be on the menu just for the night. Then, coming up on August 21, the series will finish off with Morgan McGlone (of Belle's Hot Chicken) throwing a New Zealand-style clambake, complete with Cloudy Bay clams and beers by Garage Project.
Just in time for summer, Surry Hills mainstay Maybe Frank has opened a sister cocktail bar and pizzeria in Randwick. Owner Stefano Catino says the plan is to put a little bit of the inner city in the east. Seeing the need for a good-quality cocktail bar in the area, he and business partner Vince Lombardo have essentially opened up a twin: the menus are virtually the same across both venues and the outfit is similar. However, there are a few surprises. Patrons will find a weekly rotating menu that helps you decipher the drinks and pizza list, with a theme every week and a matching hashtag, along with an emoji scale to indicate the flavour strength of each item. Menu highlights include more than 20 pizzas, four different calzones (all with lashings of fior di latte), antipasti and insalata. There's also homemade pasta dishes, including the incredibly indulgent pesto lasagne, plus 'Frank's planks': cheese, charcuterie and veggie boards, ideal for after work snacks and a spritz. The new space occupies an exposed-brick double frontage on Perouse Road with large sharing tables in the front and a flowery beer garden out back — which also grows herbs for the food and cocktails. Walls are adorned with local illustrator Jamie Preisz' works and there's a vibe that can only really be described as contemporary-Australian-meets-Italian-chic. Maybe Frank has pulled in a few respectable names for their new venture. Andrea Gualdi has resumed his position as creative director of the bar (but with a shiny, new trophy that reads '2017 World Class Bartender of the Year') and Balasz Molnar, previously of Hong Kong's luxurious Lobster Bar, has been snapped up as bar manager. "These people are serious and come from world-class backgrounds. I'm super humbled that they're all on board with us," Catino says. "But mainly we want to have fun." Maybe Frank is open Tuesday to Thursday 5:30pm–10:30, Friday and Saturday 5:30pm–11 and Sunday 5pm–10. 69 Perouse Road, Randwick. Images: Daniele Massacci
After introducing its cookie pies to the world last month, followed by serving up an OTT red velvet one, Gelato Messina is bringing the decadent dessert back for a third round with the OG chocolate chip flavour. Hang on, a cookie pie? Yes, it's a pie, but a pie made of cookie dough. And it serves two–six people — or just you. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. These pies are now available for preorder — so if you missed out last time, here's your chance to get yourself a piece of the pie. On its own, the indulgent choc chip pie will cost $20. But to sweeten the deal, the cult ice creamery has created a few bundle options, should you want some of its famed gelato atop it. For $28, you'll get the pie and a 500-millilitre tub, while with a one-litre tub or a 1.5-litre tub, it'll cost $34 and $39 respectively. The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to get one. You can place your preorder now via Bopple, with pick up times available between Thursday, May 14 and Sunday, May 17. You can preorder a Messina cookie pie via Bopple to pick up from all NSW, Vic and Queensland Gelato Messina stores (except The Star) from May 14–17.
In late March, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the national cabinet had agreed to a six-month moratorium on evictions for both residential and commercial tenancies financially impacted by COVID-19. Like many coronavirus regulations, though, the moratorium then had to be implemented by individual states and territories. And on Wednesday, April 15, the NSW Government did just that. As part of a $440 million rental rescue package, the government has amended its Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and introduced a 60-day ban, as well as a further six months of restrictions, on evicting people financially impacted by COVID-19. Some of that money — $2.5 million of it, in fact — is also going to bolster Fair Trading and the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), two services that can offer advice to tenants and landlords and help them reach rental agreements during the crisis. The government hopes this pause on evictions will allow time for financial support (such as Centrelink and the new Jobkeeper payments) to reach tenants and "limit social movement in order to minimise public health risks", as stated on the Fair Trading website, during COVID-19. As always, there's some fine print. Not everyone is protected from evictions and even those impacted financially can be evicted under some circumstances, so we've broken it down. First up, what is a moratorium? Simply, it's a temporary ban or suspension of an activity. And an evictions moratorium? A temporary ban on evictions. In NSW, the evictions moratorium is for 60 days, from Wednesday, April 15, and applies only to renters who have been financially disadvantaged by COVID-19. More on that below. During this period, landlords are not able to issue any termination notices and all termination orders via NCAT are on hold. For all evictions, now and in the past, landlords must issue a notice and, in more serious circumstances, an order, which must first be approved by NCAT. Then, only with a warrant of possession, can a sheriff's officer physically remove you from the premises. What happens when these 60 days are up? You can be evicted for not paying rent, but only if you and your landlord have "participated, in good faith, in a formal rent negotiation process about the rent or charges payable" and a termination is "fair and reasonable in the circumstances of the case". Yes, it's a little vague. And, yes, the government is asking you to effectively 'sit down' with your landlord and ask for a rent reduction, which may be daunting for someone who doesn't have a particularly great relationship with their landlord. Fair Trading will be on hand to assist with these negotiations, though, and NCAT still has the final say on approving an eviction order and whether or not the circumstance is "fair and reasonable". So, does that mean I don't have to pay rent? If you have been finally impacted by COVID–19, you do not have to pay rent during the 60 days. During this time, you cannot be evicted due to rental arrears (missed rent payments), but you are encouraged to start negotiations with your landlord for a longer-term rent reduction if needed. What's important to note is that you're only protected from evictions if one or more rent-paying members of your household has: lost employment or income as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or had a reduction in work hours or income as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or had to stop working, or materially reduce work hours, due to illness with COVID-19 or due to COVID-19 carer responsibilities for household or family members, and the above factors result in a household income (inclusive of any government assistance) that is reduced by 25 percent or more. According to the NSW Government, household income is inclusive of any government assistance, such as the Jobkeeper payments. If you do not meet the above eligibility, you're expected to honour your agreement and pay all rent and charges in full. What about if I've lost my job? Or had my shifts cut? Yes, as outlined above, you can pause paying rent during the 60 days if your household income has been reduced by 25 percent or more due to lost work during COVID-19. Do I have to pay it later? Any unpaid rent will accrue as arrears during this period. Whether or not you'll have to pay this rent after the 60 days needs to be negotiated with your landlord. This negotiation can be facilitated by Fair Trading, if needed. And if I can't, I won't be evicted — right? During the 60-day moratorium, no — you cannot be evicted for not paying rent if you or your household has been financially impacted by COVID-19, as clarified above. After that, though, you can be evicted, but a landlord must first partake in negotiations on rent reduction "in good faith" and NCAT has the final say on approving an eviction order. The NSW Government has also introduced a new 90-day minimum notice for evictions, after the moratorium, too. To clarify, this moratorium only protects you from evictions for not paying rent. If you breach the rental agreement or you reach the end of your lease, the landlord can still evict you (with at least 90 days' notice). If you've caused damage to property or other residents' property, used the residence for illegal purposes, have been threatening or abusive to other residents or have not payed rent and are not impacted by COVID-19, you can still be evicted with just 14 days' notice. [caption id="attachment_767720" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Click on the image for an enlarged version[/caption] If I receive a phone call or email from my landlord about being evicted what should I do? If your landlord is unaware of the moratorium, you can direct them to Fair Trading NSW website. Here, you'll also find template and example letters to use when approaching your landlord about rent reduction. The Tenants' of NSW Union also recommends getting legal advice from your local Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Service before entering into an agreement with your landlord. You can also get free financial advice from professionals by calling the National Debt Hotline on 1800 007 007. Am I allowed to break my lease and move out early if I need? You can, but you will need to give your landlord notice and may have to pay a break fee. If you're in a period agreement (say month-by-month), you need to give 21 days' notice. If you're in a fixed-term agreement, you might need to pay a break free if the agreement has not yet expired. But, Tenants' Union NSW says it is worth contacting your landlord and seeing if you can negotiate a shorter notice period or if they'll waive the fee. Have more questions? There's a heap of FAQs on the Fair Trading and Tenants' Union of NSW website, and if you're still unsure you can get free legal advice by contacting your local Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Service.
When you walk into Booty Shoes, you'll obviously already be wearing the type of item that gives this Potts Point boutique its name. But when you walk out, you might find yourself donning a completely different pair. Showcasing both new and classic styles — and casual and high-end types as well — the store certainly has plenty of footwear to choose from. That includes boots, mules, slides, sandals, espadrilles and sneakers, and shoes from French, Italian and Spanish. Clearly, the family-owned joint is run by folks with a penchant for great women's footwear, and for giving its customers a variety of options. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Openair shopping sprees are an inevitable spring/summer plan for Sydneysiders; a monthly outdoor market is soon to be a permanent thing at the Central Park development off Broadway. Kicking off October 12, The Brewery Yard Markets will be set on sunny Chippendale Green on the second Sunday of every month, with stalls selling artisanal foodie-heaven fare beside stands of vintage and locally-produced wares. Though the markets are a radically different retail approach to the franchises currently populating Central Park's vertical 'living-mall', they're sure to be a boom for the soon to be densely-populated inner city complex. And why not make the most of the development's specially-landscaped outdoor areas as summer rolls in? The markets will launch mid-way through the development's Summer Playground festival, with highlights including Long Lunch Sundays — where $15 will buy you a lunch special, to be eaten while lazing back in complimentary deck chairs and listening to live acoustic tunes. As for weekday entertainment, Central Park's got you covered with Thursdays Games Day — head to the Green in your break to see the space transformed into a pop-up fun fair with giant Jenga, table tennis and treasure hunts. Then there's the one-off openair Twillight Summer Cinema, screening everyone's favourite Dirty Dancing on September 25 — with dinner thrown in with your ticket price. Winter, consider yourself well shunned. Central Park's Summer Playground program runs September 8 until October 5. Check out the whole program here.
You've slogged your way through another Monday. Congratulations. Resist the temptation to head home to sit comatose on the couch and, instead, get a heady endorphin rush by finally trying out an F45 class. The exercise trend that's all over your social media feeds, this is high-intensity circuit training at it's most brutal — and invigorating. Sweat your way through the 45-minute class, trying your best not to pass out. Afterwards, reward yourself for surviving with a delicious bowl of Monday-only ramen from Chaco Bar in Darlinghurst. Hurry over, though, because this ramen is first-come first-serve and it disappears quick fast.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled its 2018 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on Friday, April 27 in South Australia and travel through Maitland, Townsville, Bendigo and Canberra before finishing up in Bunbury on May 12. This year sees local talent new and established taking the stage, with the lineup spanning up-and-comers like Alex Lahey, Baker Boy and Winston Surfshirt right through to favourites Flight Facilities and Australian legend Paul Kelly. International talent like Portugal. The Man, Royal Blood and Duke Dumont will make their way to the Moo too. Here's the full lineup. GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 LINEUP Alex Lahey Aminé (USA) The Amity Affliction Baker Boy Ball Park Music Claptone (Ger) Confidence Man Cosmo's Midnight Dean Lewis Duke Dumont (UK) Flight Facilities Grinspoon Lady Leshurr (UK) Mallrat Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Portugal. The Man (USA) Public Service Broadcasting (UK) Royal Blood (UK) Sampa The Great Skegss Superduperkyle (USA) Tkay Maidza Vera Blue Winston Surfshirt Image: Daisy Hofstetter.
